It takes a special hotel that delivers the right mix of pampering, fine dining, and premium accommodations to warrant a high price tag. Many properties around the world have mastered this trifecta, attracting loyal guests who keep coming back for more. Go all out in style at any of these splurge-worthy hotels from our 2014 Fodor’s 100 list, and get ready for a retreat that makes you feel like royalty.

​“Sensational beachfront hotel. Rooms and villas are spacious, with shuttered windows, dark wood furniture and large verandahs. Villas have kitchens and living rooms and flexible layouts that are perfect for families or groups.Outdoor pool…

“True story: Fishermen who really did think clothes were too much effort brought their catch into tiny, jungle-lined, and ridiculously scenic Smuggler’s Cove to sell. Putting up a bar was kind of a no-brainer from there. Do what St. Lucians do, and take the game of dominoes very, very seriously inside the bar, backed up against a steep hill with a thatched roof that makes it look like it grew there. Or spend the day on a lounger in the sand, tide line at your feet. You can combine the best of outside and inside on the bar’s wide balcony while the afternoon turns the sea a hundred shades of jade green.”

“Table for two” - “Take advantage of one of Cap Maison’s most romantic hidden spots and enjoy a beautiful private dinner on a dock built by the sea, below the Cliff at Cap Restaurant. The experience of dining on the ocean as the sun is setting is like none other and creates a truly memorable evening.”

Food is a great unifying force in the world. People from entirely different corners of the globe can connect over the similarities and differences that make their cuisine unique. Chef Craig Jones might not be your typical French Indian chef, but this Welshman is perfectly at home cooking the cuisine of the island of St. Lucia….

The insider - Craig Jones is an award-winning Welsh chef who has lived in St Lucia for a decade. He is executive chef of the Cliff at Cap restaurant at the Cap Maison hotel (capmaison.com), and has recently opened the Naked Fisherman beach bar and grill on the island.

I fell in love with St Lucia almost instantly. I’d always liked the reggae vibe and beach life, and just found it so relaxed. Plus, the food you get here is so impressive – fruit and vegetables with amazing flavours, and seafood that you can watch being brought in and sold. The fishermen blow conch shells and people just swarm around.

I like to take my two daughters to the fish market at Gros Islet. There might be lobster, which is in season now, maybe some red snapper. I’ll then put together a basket of ingredients, such as mango, okra, spices and sweet potato, and we’ll head to the beach.

Pigeon Point, on the northern tip of the island, is my favourite. It’s full of coves, the sea is calm and there are lots of locals. We’ll light a fire, wrap the fish in foil and go for a swim while it cooks.

On Friday night in Gros Islet, they shut the roads and have a street party. Most people cook on the roadside - there are corns roasting and the smells are amazing. Everyone’s a chef on St Lucia. I’ve become a big fan of the “one pot”, which is as it sounds. Everything goes in there - fish heads, coconut milk, spinach, ginger, dasheen leaves, maybe some pepper. It’s not much to look at, but the flavour and aromas are fantastic.

Working with restaurant food all the time, it’s great to just switch off, wander and eat as you find. In St Lucia, I’m always learning something new.